Of Cabbages and Kings

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."


I was having an intellectual exchange of ideas with another blogger via email. Not especially weighty matters but still some intensity involved. Philosophical differences. After the last exchange, I started thinking about that and blogging and philosophy and wisdom and so on.

It's what many of us do when we blog. Some of us do not realize it, thinking we are just trying to entertain, but impart wisdom just the same. We learn lessons from each other while learning about different parts of the world or country, about different cultures and backgrounds.

There is Braja, who teaches us about India and Yoga and life. And entertains us so easily while doing so.

There is Pearl, who spins stories about her adventures in commuting by bus or dealing with those things that arise in families or neighborhoods or at work. And makes us laugh at the same time. Pearl could have named her blog "Pearls of Wisdom" but that might have been too obvious and serious. She chose a much better name.

There is Inspector Clouseau (nee "the Logistician") whose blogs probes culture and intellectual matters that we should all consider from time to time.

There is Miles Per Hour who gives us great insights into relationships.

And Michael, young and adventurous and full of teenage angst, now in London (or thereabouts) for university, fresh from Hong Kong and promising us some lessons in anthropology.

Alan gives us visual stimulation reflecting on human oddities and foibles.

And way too many to mention here. Just browse my blog roll to the right or the blog roll on any blog. So much talent, so many brilliant minds.

We have moms and dads, small business folks and entrepreneurs, and all sorts of people giving us glimpses of life as they see it.

We read these blogs and giggle, snicker, and guffaw. We feel sadness and sympathy. Shake our heads at the apathy and indifference described.

And then there's me. Who am I to talk about the right and wrong of things? I am not rich, or famous, or even infamous. I have not accomplished great things nor am I likely to. I am not especially witty or clever. Some might say I could even do away with the "especially".

I have just drifted through life, enjoying my journey as much as possible, making the almost catastrophic mistake from time to time along with the little errors in judgment we are all subject to. I am not especially witty or clever nor great with prose. I have no special wisdom to impart. I have no great stories full of drama and pathos and humor.

Still, that doesn't keep me from trying. Sometimes too pompously. Sometimes unclearly. Wondering if people get the point. Wondering if I get the point. Wondering if there is a point.


There is, you know. A point. At least I hope so.

But I did get Fran's computer up and running and got her connected, once again, to the internet.

And I did find this for your amusement...

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-cigarettes26-2009oct26,0,5437321.story

Introduced in the United States two years ago, electronic cigarettes are no longer a novelty item but a popular option for many smokers -- especially those who want to quit. Inhaling on the cigarette-shaped device activates a built-in battery, which heats up a mixture of water, nicotine and propylene glycol to give the "smoker" a vapor hit of the addictive substance found in cigarettes -- but without the smoke. It even lights up at the other end, mimicking the tip of a cigarette.

I wonder if they make a pipe? I think I'd look good with a pipe.